Alex Amend, alex.amend@sierraclub.org
RICHMOND -- Today, the Richmond Times reported that Michigan-based NOVI Energy is no longer pursuing the planned development of the C4GT gas power plant in Charles City County. The plant would have burned so-called “natural gas,” which in reality is the product of the toxic and wasteful fracking process and would have required an invasive pipeline to supply it.
In May, community advocates and environmental justice organizations rallied in opposition to the plant and the lack of transparency surrounding the status of the project from state and local officials.
In response to the news, Gustavo Angeles, Environmental Justice Program Coordinator for the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, released the following statement:
“The cancellation of the C4GT fracked gas plant is a victory for residents of Charles City County. For far too long, Charles City County has served as a sacrifice zone where the community’s well-being has been exchanged for wanton industrial development. Despite today’s news, residents continue to face threats to their health and clean water from a mega landfill and another proposed fracked gas plant.
“The people and frontline organizations like Concerned Citizens of Charles City County and the members of the SAVE ‘Stop Abuse of Virginian Energy’ coalition that led this fight and held strong in their opposition forced the company into making the right decision.
“Today’s victory also reinforces that we can meet our energy needs without relying on fracked gas. The cancellation of the C4GT is one less investment in the further destruction of our clean water and communities. Instead, we can continue to invest in the clean energy solutions that are creating jobs without placing our long-term public health at risk.”
Lynn Godfrey, Community Outreach Coordinator for Sierra Club Virginia released the following statement:
"After several wasted years deceiving the people of Charles City and the Commonwealth of Virginia, NOVI Energy, parent company of C4GT, has finally realized what the courageous people of Charles City who fought a valiant battle to keep this monstrous fossil fuel poison out of their community have known since the beginning: we don't need this gas plant. Virginia doesn't need another gas plant. Now it’s time for the developers and investors in the Chickahominy Plant to realize the same. With climate change as the most existential threat facing humans today, there's no reason in the 21st century to be building gas plants."
###
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.